Organizers Want "Thousands" to Tuba City to Protest Senators Kyl & McCain

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

TUBA CITY, ARIZONA – Organizers of the grassroots group of Navajo tribal citizens are calling for thousands of the protesters to come to Tuba City tomorrow to march and protest peacefully against Senate Bill 2109, the Navajo Hopi Little Colorado Water Settlement Act of 2012.

Protesters are asked to arrive at 8:00 am mdt to gather and march to the To'Nanees'Dizi Chapter House, also known as the Tuba City Chapter House.

Tuba City Protest Flyer

At 11 am mdt US Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain are expected to arrive to meet with Navajo Nation tribal leaders, including Navajo President Ben Shelly.

The Navajo Hopi Little Colorado Water Settlement Act of 2012 was introduced by Senator Kyl in February and is meeting stiff opposition from citizens of the Navajo and Hopi Nations who are do not like language in the bill that gives up water rights of the two Indian nations forever.

Further resistance to the bill involves the Navajo and Hopi water and public health have already been damaged severely by past uranium and coal mining in and upstream of Navajo and Hopi communities. The Senate bill will take away all rightful legal protections against the present and real danger of such contaminations occurring again.

Where the Little Colorado River (lower right) flows into the Colorado River.

Tuba City Chapter is located on the western side of the Navajo Nation in the Western Agency. The community of Tuba City is second to Shiprock in terms of population on the Navajo Nation.

Protesters are encouraged to bring their own posters to let the Navajo leaders know they are opposed to the passage of Senate Bill 2109 and do not want Navajo Nation leaders to sign any agreement giving up water rights of Navajo citizens.

posted April 4, 2012 4:40 pm edt